VS Ultimate 2018 and the HEVC Codec (H.265 movie files)

[Bleeder]

From the topics below, it is clear that VideoStudio does not play well with the new kid on the block at this time-->Videos filmed in the HEVC (H.265) Format. My GoPro 7 Black uses HEVC for filming in 4K 60FPS, and my old computer had an issue w/ dropped frames even with simple playback. Obviously, editing was a nightmare too...

So, to pound H.265 into submission, a new computer build was done for smoother playback, video editing and rendering videos a "bit quicker" this month (It's crazy fast now). This beast was built around AMD's Threadripper 1950X, with Nvidia's GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, 64GB HyperX 3200 Ram, and my scratch drive is a Samsung SSD 970 PRO NVMe M.2 1TB drive. This machine can play back 6 and 8K footage smoothly, and using DaVinci Resolve 16, I can easily edit the GoPro 7's native HEVC (H.265) format video I have smooth as silk! However, here's the rub. I'm so used to using VideoStudio over the years, I'd rather use it, but I have that issue most have...VideoStudio Ultimate 2018 simply REFUSES to load any video in HEVC (H.265), and the program promptly becomes unresponsive. I'm a task manager wizard on how fast I can "End Task" now. DaVinci Resolve is fine, but VS is easier to use and set up the way I like. DaVinci Resolve is amazing, but a BEAR to use!

Please note that video in H.264 format (My Sony FDR-X3000 and FDR-AX53 cameras both shoot in that format in 4K) renders fantastically in VideoStudio, but I am frustrated and a little disappointed, frankly, to say the least! Converting the H.265 video I have to H.264 first is not an option for me, as I've tried that using Handbrake, and the resulting videos were atrocious. So, if anyone has a workaround to help the program play nice with H.265, I'm all eyes and ears! I'd hate to see VideoStudio go the way of the DoDo bird as my primary video editing suite. Thanks for reading my whine, and I'm open for suggestions! (Help with loading HEVC, not the "stop your whining" part!)

[tletter]

to pound H.265 into submission, a new computer build was done

Your profile states that you're running "operating_system: Windows XP Home"! Perhaps you should update to Windows 10 and install the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions.

VideoStudio Ultimate 2018 simply REFUSES to load any video in HEVC (H.265), and the program promptly becomes unresponsive.

This is not my experience with VS2018 on Windows 10 with the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions installed.

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[Bleeder]

"Your profile states that you're running "operating_system: Windows XP Home"! Perhaps you should update to Windows 10 and install the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions."

"This is not my experience with VS2018 on Windows 10 with the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions installed."

Thanks much, tletter. I should have updated my info, as my new computer's build, I'm using Window 10 Pro, Version 1809, Build 17763.437. I do have the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions installed as well (Cost was 99 cents!), but still no love from VS18 as you have...so, I'm jealous! I can still play back all the glorious 4K H.265 video footage with the computer smoothly, and DaVinci Resolve 16 edits the HEVC footage smoothly, but WHAT a monster that program is...pretty daunting! I don't need all those bells and whistles..and VS18 has been my go-to for such a long time, I really enjoy using it! I'll keep trying, but I may just have to keep using my Sony FDR-X3000 action cam (H.264 video) in lieu of my Hero 7 if I want to edit the video and want to use VS18. Its the ONLY reason I haven't "upgraded" to VS19! Again, MUCH appreciated!

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter[/quote]

[Ken Berry]

For what it's worth, Bleeder, I am in exactly the same position as you. My computer, plus IBM, tell me I can both decode and encode HEVC; other programs (in fact all of them), tell me I can edit and produce HEVC. And I can, with all of them. Only VS tells me I can't...

[tletter]

I'm using Window 10 Pro, Version 1809, Build 17763.437

That's the version that I'm running too.

FWIW Corel states that, "You might experience issues playing MPEG-4 (MP4) files encoded in the HEVC (H.265) format if you are using the Windows 10 Creators Update. The HEVC video extension is not included in Windows 10 Creators (was included in previous releases of Windows 10)" (https://support.corel.com/hc/en-us/arti ... ideoStudio).

my Sony FDR-X3000 action cam

That's my 4K action cam too

GoPro 7's native HEVC (H.265) format video

If you post a sample clip then we can see how it goes.

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[Ken Berry]

Yes... and I have that version of Win 10. But I also couldn't edit HEVC in previous versions of VideoStudio... But again, could do so in other NLEs.

[Bleeder]

Yes... and I have that version of Win 10. But I also couldn't edit HEVC in previous versions of VideoStudio... But again, could do so in other NLEs.

Ken, I know this is going to sound bad, but I'm glad I'm not alone in the same boat! UGH, sorry for those of us who do experience this issue. Looks like tletter is the lucky one, but appreciate the find he had on the Corel website regarding the Microsoft Creator's version of the operating system...Looks like we all have the same OS in Microsoft Pro. I "think" I might understand the issue, however...Just reading about how H.265 came about and learning about MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, well, its looks like it might be about money. Licensing for working with H.265 (HECV) files is "Muy Caro" and that may have eventually lead to 3rd party applications to not support such a thing. I'm guessing it might be expensive to provide a working support for H.265 simply because the cost is just too prohibitive?

Well, I'll probably never know, but I WILL be adding my desire to have VS to support (open and NOT crash!) HEVC files to the Wish List for VS 2020! For now, looks like I'll be learning to use DaVinci Resolve 16 now for the GoPro H7, but I think I'll still stick with VS for now for my Sony cams. As always, there's never "the perfect" anything, be it a program, camera, car, boat, razor, computer, etc...Quoting Rosanne Rosanadanna, "It's always something!"

[Ken Berry]

I don't think it's a licensing issue. Corel says it's not, and there are users here who have no trouble with HEVC in both VS 2018 and 2019.

[weaver]

It seems, that every NLE has its own bottlenecks. The DaVinci works really fine with H265, but has problems with HD videos in mts, m2t formats. They meed a slow cinversion before editing. The VS has no problems with those files.

[iNate]

If the HEVC files are in MOV containers, you may need QuickTime. Had same issue with HEVC videos off of iPhones. Need QuickTime to load and edit them in VideoStudio 2018. Resolve will load them fine, as it has native support for these QT files.

Most NLEs are moving to native support, since QT7 has been out of support for years and the player that it defaults to installing has known security holes in it (that will never be fixed). It's also a performance bottleneck since it's a 32-Bit framework. Apple is even removing 32-Bit QT7 from macOS in the next OS release...

[iNate]

"Your profile states that you're running "operating_system: Windows XP Home"! Perhaps you should update to Windows 10 and install the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions."

"This is not my experience with VS2018 on Windows 10 with the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions installed."

Thanks much, tletter. I should have updated my info, as my new computer's build, I'm using Window 10 Pro, Version 1809, Build 17763.437. I do have the Microsoft HEVC Video Extensions installed as well (Cost was 99 cents!), but still no love from VS18 as you have...so, I'm jealous! I can still play back all the glorious 4K H.265 video footage with the computer smoothly, and DaVinci Resolve 16 edits the HEVC footage smoothly, but WHAT a monster that program is...pretty daunting! I don't need all those bells and whistles..and VS18 has been my go-to for such a long time, I really enjoy using it! I'll keep trying, but I may just have to keep using my Sony FDR-X3000 action cam (H.264 video) in lieu of my Hero 7 if I want to edit the video and want to use VS18. Its the ONLY reason I haven't "upgraded" to VS19! Again, MUCH appreciated!

tletter
https://www.youtube.com/user/tletter

[/quote]
Resolve 16 has a Cut Page that will be nice for people used to consumer NLEs. So, just upgrade to the Beta and use that if it offers the performance you desire... Just make sure you back up your project database beforehand. Resolve 16 has a built-in updater, so you don't have to stalk the website for updated Beta Builds/Release build/patches anymore

In the meantime, I would download their free training materials from their training site (PDF versions free, Kindle ebooks dirt cheap, physical copies normal priced items on Amazon) along with the Archives with the stuff you need to work through them. Start with "The Definitive Guide" and move on to "Advanced Editing" when you're done with that (Color, Fairlight, and Fusion books can be saved for later). It doesn't hurt to learn how to use the software, and you only learn things once

[weaver]

The Resolve 16 is a fine editor but requires a very strong HW ( especially the GPU runs easily out of its limit.). Many special features require deep knowledge from the video processing, not always optimal for beginners. The special effects, transitions etc are very limited in the free version. On top of that it needs quite extensive file preparation ( conversions) before editing. The video convertor offered/recomended by DaVinci is not free.

[Bleeder]

Thanks all for the great input. I sure wish I were the one not having an issue with getting VS18 to play nice in the sandbox with HEVC files...but, even with the HEVC extension and video as mp4 files, it's still a no-go for working with H.265...I am looking at tutorials over the next week or so and get DaVinci Resolve 16 at try....Thanks again!

[Tesla67]

I also have the same problem editing Hero 7 Gopro videos in 4K Hevc 265. I have a high end Dell desktop i7 running windows 10. Video Studio Ultima 2018 goes unresponsive loading the file. Corel sent me an email saying to clear my temp files and reset the program, I don't think that will work because I had a different problem a year earlier and they sent me the same advice which didn't work. I have loaded the $.99 extension, no change. I was going to try the free DaVinci Resolve 16 but it says it doesn't do 4K. I tried a demo version of Adobe premiere Elements 2020 that too will not open the 4K files, says to get the extension which I got, no good. What can I use to edit 4K hevc 265 videos?

[lata]

Hi Tesla67
And welcome to the forums
Are you able to provide a short sample then we can try using on our systems.
You will have to upload to a sharing site and provide the share link.

I don’t use HEVC other than for testing but it does appear to work and the only plugin I installed was free from Microsoft
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/hevc- ... verviewtab

I have not tried HEVC with CVS 2020, and now rendering to HEVC which although a little slow on my system 1280, 1920 and now 3840 is quite slow but seems to work ok.